As of March 18, 2025, the ceasefire terms discussed between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict remain fluid, with no finalized agreement yet in place. However, based on recent developments and statements from key figures, here’s a detailed breakdown of the ceasefire terms that have been proposed, discussed, or demanded during the ongoing negotiations:
U.S.-Ukraine Proposed Ceasefire Terms
Following talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on March 11, 2025, Ukraine and the United States jointly agreed to pursue a 30-day ceasefire, which has been a cornerstone of recent diplomatic efforts. The terms outlined in this proposal include:
- Duration and Scope: An immediate, interim 30-day cessation of hostilities, extendable by mutual agreement. This would cover missile, drone, and bomb attacks across the entire frontline, as well as maritime operations in the Black Sea.
- Conditions for Implementation: The ceasefire is contingent on Russia’s reciprocal agreement to halt its military actions concurrently. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that if Russia agrees, “the silence will take effect at that very moment.”
- Humanitarian Elements: The proposal includes provisions for the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of Ukrainian children forcibly transferred to Russia.
- U.S. Support: In return for Ukraine’s willingness to enter this ceasefire, the Trump administration lifted its suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv, signaling a renewed commitment to Ukraine’s defense capabilities during negotiations.
This proposal, while accepted by Ukraine, has not been fully endorsed by Russia without significant modifications, as detailed below.
Russia’s Stance and Conditions
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed cautious support for the ceasefire concept but has attached several conditions and raised questions that reflect Moscow’s strategic priorities. These were articulated during a press conference on March 13, 2025, and further elaborated in subsequent statements:
- Limited Scope: By March 18, 2025, Putin reportedly agreed in principle to a ceasefire targeting energy and civilian infrastructure—sectors Russia has denied attacking—along with negotiations for a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea. This is narrower than the comprehensive land, air, and sea ceasefire proposed by the U.S. and Ukraine.
- Territorial Demands: Russia insists on Ukraine recognizing its annexation of Crimea and four eastern provinces (Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson). This has been a consistent demand since earlier peace talks in 2022 and remains a non-negotiable point for Moscow.
- No NATO Membership: Putin has reiterated that Ukraine must abandon its NATO aspirations permanently, framing this as a root cause of the conflict.
- Military Restrictions: Russia seeks limits on Ukraine’s military size and capabilities, including a halt to Western weapons supplies during the ceasefire. Putin has expressed concerns that a 30-day pause could allow Ukraine to regroup, rearm, and mobilize additional forces.
- Kursk Region: A key condition involves the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Russia’s Kursk region, where Kyiv launched a surprise incursion in August 2024. Putin has questioned whether Ukrainian forces would leave voluntarily or be ordered to surrender.
- Monitoring and Verification: Putin has emphasized the need for clear mechanisms to ensure compliance, asking who would monitor the ceasefire and how violations would be addressed along the extensive frontline.
- Long-Term Settlement: Russia has pushed for a ceasefire to address the “root causes” of the conflict, as opposed to a temporary truce. This includes political demands such as potential changes to Ukraine’s government and the easing of Western sanctions on Russia.
Trump’s Involvement and Additional Proposals
U.S. President Donald Trump has been actively engaged, with a phone call to Putin on March 18, 2025, described as a pivotal moment in advancing these talks. Trump’s contributions to the ceasefire terms include:
- Asset Division: Trump has suggested discussing the division of Ukrainian assets, including the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently occupied by Russia. This indicates a willingness to negotiate territorial and economic outcomes as part of a broader deal.
- Urgency and Flexibility: Trump has pressed for an immediate ceasefire, stating on Truth Social that “this war must end NOW,” while leaving room for further negotiations on unresolved issues. He has described Putin’s statements as “promising but incomplete,” signaling openness to Russia’s input.
- Middle East Talks: Following the March 18 call, negotiations are set to continue in the Middle East, with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio tasked with refining the terms.
Points of Contention
- Security Guarantees: Ukraine seeks robust security assurances, potentially involving European peacekeeping forces or NATO membership, which Russia adamantly opposes. The U.S.-Ukraine joint statement from Jeddah notably omitted specific security guarantees, leaving this a sticking point.
- Sanctions: Russia has hinted at demanding sanctions relief, a topic absent from the U.S.-Ukraine proposal but likely to surface in broader talks.
- Ukrainian Mobilization: Kyiv has indicated it would continue mobilization efforts during a ceasefire, which Russia views as a threat to the truce’s stability.
Current Status
As of March 18, 2025, the ceasefire remains a work in progress. The Trump-Putin phone call has advanced a limited ceasefire focused on energy infrastructure and the Black Sea, but Russia’s broader conditions—territorial recognition, NATO exclusion, and military curbs—clash with Ukraine’s insistence on sovereignty and security. Posts on X and official statements suggest optimism from some quarters about the talks, but skepticism persists, with critics noting Putin’s history of using ceasefires to regroup rather than resolve conflicts.
In summary, the ceasefire terms under discussion blend a U.S.-backed 30-day pause with Russia’s demands for strategic concessions. The next steps hinge on negotiations in the Middle East, where the gap between these positions will either narrow or widen.
